Do They Know it's Christmas? Band Aid

We've been sending money to Africa since I was at junior school and I'm now in my 70s. It's time it was stopped. I'm fed up of seeing adverts for this aid or that aid.

If they don't appreciate it, or can't do anyting but fritter it away or ferret away into individual's pocket, I'm sure charities in the UK, can find plenty to do with it.

Yes very strange. I can't remember what else they took. It was many years ago.

Kate1949

We recorded the whole of Live Aid then we got burgled and they nicked the tapes.

Oh dear!

What a strange thing to steal, though, video tapes!

Oh noo!
Talk about putting a dampner on things.

We recorded the whole of Live Aid then we got burgled and they nicked the tapes.

I agree wholeheartedly with paddyann54

I can remember where I was the first time I heard the song and saw the video.

I know exactly what I was doing and where I was during the entire Live Aid Concert, it had a huge impact on me.

paddyann54

I remember when it came out our local gastro pub sold tickets to view the video and ran raffles.They raised a fair amount for the charity but it was probably the only time the whole pub was silent and in tears.I can’t hear the Cars without crying even now Live Aid may have been of its time but it was an amazing achievement that should be remembered even though the lyrics cause issue

The Cars song is forever etched in my mind.
As soon as I think of it, I think of the footage.

I've always enjoyed thr Cars music, but not that one anymore.
Mission accomplished, I'd say.

I can recommend "The Making of Do They Know it's Christmas" on BBC iPlayer.

It's really interesting seeing all the singers and bands turning up and the huge organisation necessary to get it going. Midge Ure says that some of the artists don't speak to each other for various reasons, but have put all pettiness behind them for a good cause.

Just needing to get everyone together - some flying back from the US early and going to the studio straight from the airport.

Even the labels to stick on the records were made for nothing. Everyone involved contributed time and effort for free.

I do so admire Bob and Midge for creating this. An astonishing achievement ... and then Live Aid.

I remember when it came out our local gastro pub sold tickets to view the video and ran raffles.They raised a fair amount for the charity but it was probably the only time the whole pub was silent and in tears.I can’t hear the Cars without crying even now Live Aid may have been of its time but it was an amazing achievement that should be remembered even though the lyrics cause issue

I expect most of us have the original record still around somewhere but has anything changed?

Unless there is a will on the part of Governments in Africa will anything change?

BlueBelle

I like Bob Geldof and at the time I loved the song and the sentiments but I see exactly where some modern Africans are coming from People are still stuck in the view that Africa is poverty stricken place, not to visit and it isn’t like that everywhere in Africa.

Many many years ago I privately sponsored a young boy at school I saw him through school, exams, college, and a few years of him getting nowhere Then he did and now he is a rich man with a wife, child, a large house and holidays in Dubai, Mauritius etc etc he owns a business, employs a good number of people, provides a bus for them to get to work and he has never forgotten me Last year he send me £150 to have a meal on him he calls me his English Mum even now.

That's lovely Bluebelle.

DD has done the same with a child in Central America who successfully completed his education and now sponsors another child in an African country.

Ed Sheeran has protested re his vocals being used from the 2014 version.
It seems a Ghanaian/British rapper “Fuse ODG” told Ed Sheeran the Live Aid franchise de humanises Africans.
So he no longer wants to be associated with the song.

Perhaps Fuse could them some of his music to these poor African people as they slowly die of malnutrition/cholera/malaria.

SueDonim

Terribull wrote I remember buying the record but oh yes those lyrics "Thank God it's them instead of you" whoever wrote that line, it always sounded horribly shocking

I always interpreted those lyrics as meaning don’t look away and think it won’t happen to you, tomorrow the boot could be on the other foot.

As for the ‘white saviour’ aspect, whilst I can see where they’re coming from, there’s nothing to stop African countries from their own charitable acts to help people in other counties. Some parts of Africa are very rich indeed in resources.

Yes.

People in parts of Africa are starving yet it is a fertile continent where food can be produced in abundance. Civil wars, armed conflicts and a lack of will all contribute to this.

A song can help some but it will change nothing.

How lovely BlueBelle, that’s good to hear.

Sparklefizz

^Apparently some African people resent the "White Saviour" attitude towards them.^
Over the years, the song has been criticised for what many percieve to be a “white saviour” attitude that perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Africa.

Would they prefer for themselves and their children to be left to die? Surely skin colour is irrelevant. What matters is genuine human kindness and helping one's fellow man. The Africans who allegedly resent it are unlikely to be the ones who are suffering.

I can't speak for them, I only posted the views of others. It is a term I've heard used previously so nothing I made up.

I like Bob Geldof and at the time I loved the song and the sentiments but I see exactly where some modern Africans are coming from People are still stuck in the view that Africa is poverty stricken place, not to visit and it isn’t like that everywhere in Africa.

Many many years ago I privately sponsored a young boy at school I saw him through school, exams, college, and a few years of him getting nowhere Then he did and now he is a rich man with a wife, child, a large house and holidays in Dubai, Mauritius etc etc he owns a business, employs a good number of people, provides a bus for them to get to work and he has never forgotten me Last year he send me £150 to have a meal on him he calls me his English Mum even now.

I agree Grandmabatty whilst some good may come of this latest cover version Bob Geldorf, (not been on MSM for a goodly while), loves a microphone and camera.

Terribull wrote I remember buying the record but oh yes those lyrics "Thank God it's them instead of you" whoever wrote that line, it always sounded horribly shocking

I always interpreted those lyrics as meaning don’t look away and think it won’t happen to you, tomorrow the boot could be on the other foot.

As for the ‘white saviour’ aspect, whilst I can see where they’re coming from, there’s nothing to stop African countries from their own charitable acts to help people in other counties. Some parts of Africa are very rich indeed in resources.

He doesn't suffer fools though, he told Cat Deely off for getting some information wrong. I thought Midge Ire looked good, Bob with his usual pulled through a hedge look is not my style.

The song and subsequent Band Aid concerts the following year were products of their time. I'm minded of the quotation from 'The Go between', "The past is a different country; they do things differently there." I think it was all well intentioned as an attempt to help with horrific suffering and should be lauded as such for the time.

vegansrock

I guess what is challenged is the notion that the whole of the continent of Africa is poverty stricken, ignorant and starving. Of course millions of Africans know it’s Christmas, many of them knew about it before Europe did.

This is true, so many different countries in the continent of Africa.

Does anyone seriously think the people in the footage were in any fit state to celebrate Christmas?
They look like concentration camp victims.

These people dont do anything but destroy, complain, and wreck. I cant describe how much I loathe them.

I guess what is challenged is the notion that the whole of the continent of Africa is poverty stricken, ignorant and starving. Of course millions of Africans know it’s Christmas, many of them knew about it before Europe did.

youtu.be/nYPmO1N1abc?si=56ls6Ynh6vmJZmOT